Data center equipment location and monitoring system

ABSTRACT

Data center equipment location systems include hardware and software to provide information on the location, monitoring, and security of servers and other equipment in equipment racks. The systems provide a wired alternative to the wireless RFID tag system by using electronic ID tags connected to each piece of equipment, each electronic ID tag connected directly by wires to an equipment rack controller on the equipment rack. The equipment rack controllers link to a central control computer that provides an operator interface and communicates with the equipment rack controllers. The computer stores IDs of the equipment rack controllers and each of its connected electronic ID tags, and receives information from the tags to monitor the status of each piece of equipment. Further, the computer can activate a sensory indicator to enable a technician(s) to locate a piece of equipment that is in need of repair or replacement.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This Continuation application claims priority to U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 12/579,257, filed Oct. 14, 2009, Noah Groth, Jan P.Warhuus and Krassimir A. Boyadjiev, inventors. This application isherein incorporated fully by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system for information technology(IT) asset location, monitoring, identification, and security. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a system for location andidentification of equipment in data center equipment racks, and forproviding monitoring and security for the equipment.

2. Related Art

A data center is generally located in a high-tech building that isdesigned to run and operate large numbers of servers, computers andcommunication equipment. Data Centers are an essential element in theInternet and IT infrastructure of large organizations. There arethousands of data centers around the world, and an important componentof any data center are the equipment racks that house the data centerequipment, including servers, computers and communication equipment. Atypical equipment rack can hold 40 to 50 standard sized servers or otherpieces of equipment. FIG. 1 shows such an equipment rack (ER) 150 thatcarries a number of pieces of equipment rack equipment (ERE) 108. Alarge data center can have thousands of these ER 150 s containing manythousands of servers and other ERE 108, each of which cost severalthousand dollars on average and may contain highly confidential orproprietary data. The data center's management must be able to locate,identify and secure their equipment in order to meet their operational,financial and regulatory compliance requirements.

Conventionally, in order to count and locate equipment, data centermanagers use one of the three options that are described to follow. Ineach case, a unique IDentification (ID) tag is associated with eachpiece of equipment to be tracked, and this information is recorded insome way into an inventory database.

A. Manual Option

For the manual option, a person must periodically visit each equipmentrack and record its location and the asset ID for each piece ofequipment in the equipment rack. This information may be captured bysomeone's memory, by hand on a clipboard, or in a spreadsheet-typeelectronic table. For example, in order to uniquely identify equipmentthat serves a specific function among otherwise physically similar oridentical equipment, the data center will typically print a paper labelwith a human readable asset ID and then affix this paper label to theserver or equipment. The human readable paper label becomes the uniqueidentifier that is used to identify the equipment. This approach iserror prone, very labor intensive and risky for two reasons. First, thelabels tend to fall off, and labels degrade over time. Additionally, thenature of the human interaction involved in creating, printing andaffixing asset IDs can lead to some level of naming conflicts wherebythe human readable names may be easily duplicated, mislabeled, misread,mis-affixed, and/or misidentified. Second, asset ID labels can identifya piece of equipment only if a technician can actually physically locatethe piece of equipment. In order to locate the equipment, it isnecessary to keep track of where a piece of equipment with a certainasset ID label is located. Typically, the data center will use some kindof inventory records and try to keep these records up to date. However,tracking and keeping current inventory records for equipment that isadded, moved, and/or replaced on a continuous basis is very laborintensive and error prone. With this option, there is a serious riskthat the technician will work on, reconfigure, move or replace the wrongpiece of equipment and cause significant, additional problems.

The manual process may be enhanced by placing barcodes on the asset IDlabels and using portable barcode readers to read the asset ID off thebarcode. Later, the collected information is saved from the barcodereader into an electronic database. If the location is recorded as well,then the electronic database can be accessed to provide locationinformation about the equipment at the time the barcode was read. Withbarcodes, it is easier to avoid the naming conflicts mentioned abovebecause labels are machine read and the level of human interaction isone step removed from these activities. However, the other manualprocess issues remain and the problems with this barcode version of themanual option is that it is labor intensive, error prone, timeconsuming, costly to implement, requires specialized equipment, and thedata collected represents only a single point in time. Because thebarcode data reads represent a single point in time, from the moment theinformation is gathered, its accuracy is immediately degraded andout-of-date because data center operators move, repair and replaceequipment regularly. Consequently, data centers typically have troublekeeping a manual database accurate and up to date.

B. Passive RFID Option

Passive RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags have been used totrack and identify IT assets for about a decade. Passive tags do notcontain a power supply, but rely instead on harvesting power from apassive RFID reader in order to transmit a signal. With this option,passive RFID tags are placed on equipment in an equipment rack, andperiodically, a person will visit each equipment rack and use a passiveRFID reader to read the passive RFID tags on the equipment and recordthe location. Many vendors offer passive RFID tags and readers. Using apassive RFID tag reader is similar to using the Manual Option with abarcode reader; i.e., in both cases, a person operating the readers mustbe within close physical proximity and line of sight with the barcode orRFID tag. An RFID reader, however, offers advantages over a barcodereader as the RFID tag's radio wave can be read from odd angles, ascompared to a barcode reader's infrared beam that has to be aligned withthe line of bars of the barcode. Additionally, many RFID tags can beread from a distance of several feet, as compared to a read distance ofonly a few inches for a barcode tag. However, the passive RFID Optionhas many of the same drawbacks as the Manual Option: it is laborintensive, error prone and it represents single point-in-timeinformation that erodes quickly and lacks accuracy as data centerequipment is moved or replaced.

C. Active RFID Option

Active RFID tags have emerged as the next generation of RFID tags totrack equipment, including IT equipment, and provide an improvement overpassive RFID tags. The company “RF Code” is a vendor that currentlyoffers an active RFID system used to track equipment in data centers.Active RFID tags have an on-board power supply, which gives them theability to periodically transmit a radio signal to an RFID readerwithout being powered or prompted to do so by the reader. Powered bytheir on-board power supply, these tags are operating independent of anRFID reader or other receiving system. When used in production flows andstorage facilities, for example container yards, readers are typicallyinstalled at entry and exit points of buildings and/or processes to bemonitored, typically called “zones”. In data centers, because of theenvironmental obstacles that metal equipment racks and metal servercabinets represent to radio-wave based communication and because of theneed to define the “zone” as accurately as an equipment rack, an RFIDantenna and reader is installed on each equipment rack in order to readthe active tags placed on each piece of equipment in an equipment rack.Each RFID reader has a unique ID that is associated with a specificequipment rack in a specific location, and this information is saved toa software application database. The active RFID tags on the equipmentwill periodically transmit their unique ID, and this is received by theRFID antenna and transferred to the reader assigned to the equipmentrack. The data received by the RFID reader is then sent to a softwareapplication that will associate the reader ID and the RFID tag ID with alocation and a piece of equipment.

D. Comparison of Options

Active RFID has the advantage over the Passive RFID option in that itprovides real-time location information about each piece of equipment inthe equipment rack. However, active RFID tags, readers and antennainstallation are very costly. Further, due to the high concentration ofmetal (in the equipment racks and equipment), signal interferenceproblems result which can cause reduced reliability and stability inreading the active tag signals and complicated installation andmaintenance procedures. Also, active RFID tags can only transmit signalsand typically cannot receive signals, so their functionality is limitedto broadcasting only.

Data centers are increasingly interested in moving away from the ManualOption and will often review the passive RFID Option and to a muchlesser extent the active RFID Option. This is evidenced by the adoptionof standards by the Financial Services Technology Consortium for passiveRFID tags to be used on data center equipment. This standard is gainingmomentum and acceptance in data centers in spite of the shortcomings ofpassive RFID. RFID options are inherently attractive as they provide areduction in cost of inventory counts and equipment tracking, and, thus,are viewed as good alternatives to manual methods.

A drawback to all of the current options is the lack of ability tolocate equipment even if it is identifiable by either a manual label oran RFID tag. People operating and monitoring the data center equipmentare often not in the same physical location as the equipment racks.Consequently, when there is a problem with a piece of equipment, thedata center operator will contact a technician who is located in thedata center and have the technician go to the equipment rack and work onthe problem equipment. The data center operator is looking on a computerscreen that identifies the equipment on the electronic network, but thisis not linked to a physical location of the equipment. Thus, when thetechnician arrives at the equipment rack, it is difficult for thetechnician to identify the specific piece of equipment within theequipment rack that is in need of attention because most often theequipment in the rack is the same or a similar model.

Data centers are further faced with issues of physical security ofrack-mounted equipment in the equipment rack. If a data center operatoris alerted that a piece of equipment is down, the operator has toundertake a diagnostic process to identify why. Has the power supplyfailed? Did someone unplug the network cable? Did the equipmentoverheat? Did someone remove the equipment from the rack? All suchphysical security related potential issues are complicated to determineand resolve. Therefore, the process of determining why the equipmentfailed is time consuming and can cause significant delays in getting theequipment back in operation.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a data center monitoringsystem with an integrated system of electronic hardware and softwarethat provides location, security, monitoring, and identification of rackequipment, in real time, to data center personnel.

The data center monitoring system provides a wired alternative to thewireless RFID tag systems. As noted above, the market acceptance andmomentum of wireless RFID tags to provide data center monitoring isgrowing, but hindered by costs and signal interference problems. Thismomentum and acceptance has obscured and overshadowed other possiblemethods, such as use of the direct wire connection technology system ofembodiments of the present invention to improve the location andmonitoring of equipment in data center equipment racks.

The system of embodiments of the present invention includes electronicID tags that are attached to each individual piece of equipment (such asa server) in the data center. An equipment rack controller further formspart of the system and is connected to each rack or group of closelyspaced racks using wires to the electronic ID tags on the one or moreequipment racks. The equipment rack controllers are then connected overa local area network to a central control computer to complete thesystem.

The central control computer provides an operator interface, and runs asoftware application program that communicates with the equipment rackcontrollers and electronic ID tags. The software application program onthe central control computer stores the IDs of the equipment rackcontrollers as well as the electronic ID tags associated with theequipment rack controllers in a database on the central controlcomputer. The software application program receives information from theelectronic ID tags in real time, enabling the central control computerto monitor the status of each piece of equipment that has a connectedelectronic ID tag. Further, the software application program can send asignal to an individual electronic ID tag to activate a sensoryindicator to enable a technician(s) to locate a specific piece ofequipment that is in need of monitoring, repair or replacement.

The electronic ID tags include a processor, memory for storing data andcontrol code to enable operation of the processor, and a powerdistribution network. Three wires form a data link cable that connectsto each electronic ID tag, one wire for power, one for groundconnection, and one for data signals. Also included onboard theelectronic ID tag and controlled by its processor is a sensoryindicator, a temperature monitor and a tamper detection device. Thesensory indicator, such as an LED, enables a central control computeroperator(s) to signify to a local technician(s) a specific piece ofequipment attached to a specific electronic ID tag. The temperaturemonitor measures the ambient air temperature around the electronic IDtag. The tamper detection device provides an indication when theelectronic ID tag has been detached from the equipment, or if theelectronic ID tag is otherwise tampered with.

The wired data link cables connect the electronic ID tags on anequipment rack in series to the equipment rack controller. A separatedata link cable is connected from the last electronic ID tag in a seriesback to the equipment rack controller so that if one electronic ID tagfails in the series, subsequent electronic ID tags are not cut off fromthe equipment rack controller. As indicated above, the data link cableincludes three wires, one for power, one for ground connection, and onefor data signals.

Using the system according to embodiments of the present invention, asolution is provided to the remote identification problem. With thesensory indicator included on an electronic ID tag, a data centeroperator can remotely indicate, for example through illumination, aspecific electronic ID tag that is attached to the problem equipment andprovide reliable identification, enabling the technician(s) to quicklyand easily identify problem equipment.

Further, a data center operator(s) can immediately determine if someonehas removed the equipment from the equipment rack and eliminate onepossibility as to why the equipment is not functioning correctly.Embodiments of the present invention reliably determine if equipment isphysically still in the equipment rack because, in order to removeequipment from the rack, the electronic ID tag must be disconnected fromthe wire connection. The built-in tamper detection device in theelectronic ID tag alerts the central control computer operator(s) ifanyone removes or attempts to remove the electronic ID tag from theequipment.

Another benefit of embodiments of the present invention is the detailedmapping of the ambient air temperature of multiple points within anequipment rack. Typically, temperature measurements in a data center aresingle points of measurements for a large area. When energy was cheapand carbon emissions were not an issue, single-point temperaturemeasurement for a larger area was adequate. However, this approach doesnot identify hot or cold spots in the area being measured, resulting inenergy inefficiencies. With the system of embodiments of the presentinvention, a multipoint temperature measurement can be made within eachrack to enable a more efficient use of power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details of the present invention are explained with the help ofthe attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an equipment rack containing multiple servers;

FIG. 2 illustrates components of a data center monitoring systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the components of anelectronic tag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Data Center Monitoring System

FIG. 2 shows components of a data center monitoring system according toembodiments of the present invention. The components shown include asingle equipment rack (ER) 150 containing servers and/or other equipmentrack equipment (ERE) 108. A single ER 150 is used for purposes ofillustration only, as the system is intended for use with multiple ERs150 typically found within a data center. The system further includeselectronic ID tags (ET) 107, each being attached to an individual ERE108. A communication and power data link cable (DL) 103 connects the ET107 s to an equipment rack controller (ERC) 101. The ERC 101 thenprovides a connection over a local area network 119 to a central controlcomputer 120. The central control computer 120 contains a softwareapplication program 126 and database 127 to provide for monitoring,location and identification of each ET 107 in real time. Further, an ERC101 can be attached to each ER 150 or to a group of closely located ER150 s, and each ERC 101 can communicate with the central controlcomputer 120 in a similar fashion described with respect to ERC 101.

In the system shown, the ER 150 has a unique ID (ER ID) that designatesits physical location in the data center. The ER ID is similar to astreet address. Further, each ERE 108 that is housed in the ER 150 has aunique ID (ERE ID). Typically, there are many ERE 108 s in each ER 150.During set-up of the software application program 126 in the centralcontrol computer 120, the ER IDs as well as the ERE IDs are entered intothe database 127. More details of each of the components making up thesystem illustrated by FIG. 2 follow.

A. Electronic ID Tag (ET)

The ET 107 is a small electronic device that can receive signals fromand send signals to the ERC 101. Each ET 107 has a permanent and uniqueelectronic ID, a sensory indicator (SI) 208, a temperature monitor 206,and a tamper detection device (not shown in FIG. 2). Duringinstallation, the ET 107 is physically attached to an ERE 108 in the ER150, and a software application program 126 running on the centralcontrol computer 120 is used to assign the unique ID of the ET 107 to aspecific ERE 108 and saves this information in a database 127 residingon the central control computer 120, the database 127 being operated bythe software application program 126 also provided in central controlcomputer 120. The ERC 101 continually monitors and reports to thesoftware application program 126 of central control computer 120 on thestatus of the ET 107 s. The software application program 126 provided inthe central control computer 120 uses this information along with theERC 101, ER 150, and ET 107 ID information to report on the location andprovide information on the temperature and security status of each ERE108 in the ER 150.

More details of the ET 107 can be seen with reference to the blockdiagram of components of an ET shown in FIG. 3. As shown, an ET 107includes a data link line connector 212 that connects to threetransmission line wires forming the DL 103. A power line 220 providespower to a power distribution device 202. The second is groundconnection 221 and the third is the data line 222 that provides upstreamand downstream data communications and links to the processor 200.

The processor 200 is connected to a memory device 204 for the purpose ofstoring code to operate the processor 200, as well as storing data. Theprocessor 200 is also connected to a temperature monitor 206, an SI 208,and a tamper detection device 210. The temperature monitor 206 providesan ambient air temperature measurement for the air immediatelysurrounding the ET 107. The air temperature measured can be air providedto either the input or output of the cooling fans on the ERE 108. Thisallows monitoring the state of the ERE 108 cooling system, as well ascontrol of air conditioning equipment surrounding individual areas ofthe ER 150 to maintain desired input or output air temperatures. The SI208 can be activated using central control computer 120 to enable atechnician(s) to locate a particular ERE 108. The tamper detectiondevice 210 can be a device that detects motion or monitors the integrityof the ET 107 to prevent unauthorized detachment of the ET 107 from ERE108. The tamper detection device 210 alternatively can be connected toattachment portion 230 to directly detect detachment of the ET 107 inorder to alert a data center operator(s) when the ET 107 isdisconnected.

The power distribution device 202 of the ET 107 provides power to theprocessor 200, memory device 204, temperature monitor 206, SI 208, andtamper detection device 210. The components 200, 202, 204, 206, 208 and210 can be combined onto a single integrated circuit chip, or they canbe separate components attached to a chip carrier 232 portion of the ET107. An attachment portion 230 of the ET 107 provides a surface forattaching the ET 107 to an ERE 108. The processor 200 can be amicroprocessor, a digital signal processor, a Field Programmable GateArray (FPGA) or other device configured to perform the process stepsdescribed herein.

B. Data Link (DL)

The DL 103 is a serial/daisy chain of physical cables that connect theERC 101 to the ETs 107 under its control. The function of the DL 103 isto deliver power and transport data between the ETs 107 and the ERC 101.The DL 103 thus contains three separate wires: data line 222 forupstream and downstream communications, ground connection 221, and powerline 220. The three lines forming the DL 103 are connected in seriesbetween the ETs 107. A separate data link line 117 (shown in theexpanded view in FIG. 2) connects the last ET 107 in the chain back tothe ERC 101 to enable communication to be maintained should one of theETs 107 fail, thereby cutting off communications to other ETs 107further down in the chain.

C. Equipment Rack Controller (ERC)

The ERC 101 is a piece of hardware that has several functions. Each ERC101 has a unique electronic ID. An ERC 101 can be used with a single ER150 in one embodiment; in another embodiment, one ERC 101 can be usedwith four ER 150 s in close proximity. Each ERC 101 manages and controlsthe communication between the connected ETs 107 and the softwareapplication program 126 of the central control computer 120, and alsoprovides power to each ET 107.

Each ERC 101 is physically installed on the ER 150, and periodicallytransmits its unique ID and other data to the software applicationprogram 126 running on central control computer 120. During setup of thesoftware application program 126 on the central control computer 120,the ERC 101 and its one or more associated ER 150 s are logically linkedin the database 127 of the central control computer 120. This logicallinking ties together the physical location of the ER 150 to the ERC101. Once installed, the ERC 101 continually polls the ET 107 s that areattached to the DL 103 to confirm that the ET 107 s are still connectedand operating, and to retrieve unique ET 107 ID, temperature or tamperinformation. In addition, the ERC 101 can cause the SI 208 on a specificET 107 to provide a sensory indication upon receiving a command from thesoftware application program 126 provided on the central controlcomputer 120.

D. Central Control Computer

The central control computer 120 includes a processor 122 and memory 124for providing application software 126 executable on the processor 122to perform the functions described herein. The memory 124 can alsoinclude the database 127 for storing ET 107, ERE 108, ERC 101 and ER 150location and status data as described herein. The memory 124 can be onedevice or several separate devices. The memory 124 can take the form ofa RAM, Flash, disk, CD or other computer storage medium. Similarly, theprocessor 122 can be one or more devices, and can be integrated togetherwith the memory and can be a computer or other device for processingcontrol code. The central control computer 120 further can include adisplay 129 and an operator interface 128, such as the keyboard shown.The central control computer 120 includes a connection to a local areanetwork 119 to the ERC 101, as well as other ERC 101 s that may beincluded in the system. Although the local area network 119 is shown asa wired connection, the local area network 119 can be a wirelessconnection.

The central control computer 120 contains and runs the softwareapplication program 126 that connects through the local area network 119to one or more ERC 101 s. The software application program 126 links toa database 127 in the central control computer 120 that stores detailsabout the physical location of ER 150 s, the assignment of a specificERC 101 to a specific ER 150, the assignment of a specific ET 107 to aspecific ERE 108, a real-time record of the status of the ET 107 s thatare being monitored by each ERC 101, and the temperature reading fromeach ET 107. In addition, the software application program 126 canprovide real-time alerts if any ERE 108 monitored by an ERC 101 is movedor if the ET 107 is removed from the ERE 108. The software applicationprogram 126 also enables a data center operator(s) to remotely cause theSI 208 on a specific ET 107 to provide a sensory indication to a localtechnician(s). This helps a technician(s) that is standing in front ofan ER 150 to positively identify the specific ERE 108.

IL Data Center Monitoring Operation A. System Setup

Initially to setup the system, the software application program 126 isfirst installed on the central control computer 120 and the centralcontrol computer 120 is connected to the local area network 119. Thesoftware application program 126 is then launched and the physicallocation of the ER 150 is imported or entered by a user and recorded bythe application program 126 into the database 127 of the central controlcomputer 120. The user next accesses the software application program126 to install the ERC 101 for the ER 150, and the unique ID of the ERC101 and the ER 150 into the database 127. Once identified and on thelocal area network 119, the ERC 101 will begin communicating with thesoftware application program 126 on the central control computer 120.

To physically connect the ETs 107 within an ER 150, a first segment ofthe DL 103 is connected to the ERC 101 on one end and, on the other end,to the first ET 107 in closest physical proximity to the ERC 101. Thefirst connected ET 107 can now be registered with the softwareapplication program 126 of the central control computer 120 through ERC101. This is the beginning of the serial/daisy chain of ET 107 s. Thenext segment of the DL 103 is then connected to the second ET 107. Thisprocess of connecting the DL 103 to each ET 107, in succession,continues until all ET 107 s within an ER 150 are connected. The last ET107 in the daisy chain of the DL 103 will have a separate data link line117 that loops back to the ERC 101. This loop-back separate data linkline 117 improves the reliability of the DL 103 by providing two datapaths for the ETs 107 to communicate with the ERC 101. If there is abreak in the DL 103, the ETs 107 can still communicate with the ERC 101using this alternative separate data link line 117.

The ETs 107 are connected via the DL 103, ERC 101, and local areanetwork 119 connection to the software application program 126 runningon central control computer 120. The data center operator can now accessthe software application program 126 of the central control computer 120to enter the unique ID of the ETs 107 attached to the ERE 108 into thedatabase 127 of the central control computer 120. This assignment alsolinks the unique ID of the ET 107 to the specific ERE 108.

Once all the ETs 107 in an ER 150 are connected to the ERC 101 via theDL 103, they continually report their unique IDs and temperatureinformation to the ERC 101. The ERC 101 sends this information to thesoftware application program 126 running on the central control computer120.

B. Operation After Setup

During day-to-day operation after initial setup, the softwareapplication program 126 running on the central control computer 120continually receives data transmitted by the ERC 101 and records thisinformation into the database 127. The received information includes theunique ID of the ERC 101, the unique ID of the ETs 107 reporting to theERC 101, tamper status, and temperature reading of each ET 107. Thisreal-time information, coupled with the stored information in thedatabase 127, enables the software application program 126 running oncentral control computer 120 to report the real-time location of the ET107, the associated ERE 108, and the ambient air temperature immediatelyaround the ERE 108. If the ERC 101 stops reporting the presence of anyET 107 (for example, the DL 103 is disconnected), the softwareapplication program 126 will detect the absence of the ET 107, and asecurity alert will be issued to the operator(s) of the central controlcomputer 120. Or, if someone attempts to remove the ET 107 from the ERE108 without unplugging the DL 103, the tamper detection device 210 inthe ET 107 will detect the tampering, and the software applicationprogram 126 of the central control computer 120 will detect the changein tamper status, and a security alert will be created and sent to thecentral control computer 120 operator(s).

The software application program 126 of the central control computer 120can also continually monitor the ambient air temperature surroundingeach ET 107, and if the temperature is outside a predetermined range, atemperature alert will be issued to the central control computer 120operator(s). In addition, the ambient air temperature for all the ETs107 in an ER 150 can be averaged and a grid of average rack airtemperatures can be created. This information is used by an airconditioning system to eliminate hot and cold spots in the data center.

If a specific ERE 108 malfunctions or is having some sort of problem, aremote data center operator(s) can direct a local data centertechnician(s) to the ER 150, whereupon the remote operator(s) of centralcontrol computer 120 can access the software application program 126 ofcentral control computer 120 and issue a command to the SI 208 on the ET107 attached to the specific ERE 108, and thus, positively identify theproblem equipment for the local technician(s).

Although the present invention has been described above withparticularity, this was merely to teach one of ordinary skill in the arthow to make and use the invention. Many additional modifications willfall within the scope of the invention, as that scope is defined by thefollowing claims.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A system for locating equipment in rackscomprising: electronic identification (ID) tags each having a unique,reportable ID; equipment in a rack physically connected to electronic IDtag(s); at least one rack controller with a unique electronic IDconnected by physical wire to at least one electronic ID tag; a databasecomprising data identifying: a physical location of at least one rack;relationships between the at least one rack controller and the at leastone rack; and relationships between the equipment and the physicallyconnected electronic ID tags; said electronic ID tags connecting to therack controller through a rigid physical data link that conforms to thesize of the rack, is affixed to the rack, rack post, or rack door, andhas fixed connection points for ID Tags, said rack controller optionallydetermines where on the data link a given tag is connected, andoptionally reports the position on the rigid data link of a givenelectronic ID tag, or said rack controller optionally determines whereon the data link a given tag is connected, and optionally reports to thecentral control computer the position on the rigid data link of a givenelectronic ID tag.
 16. The system of claim 15, at least one of each ofsaid electronic ID tag connection points on the rigid data link includesa sensory indicator; and said central control computer collectsinformation and determines a location of a given electronic ID tag. 17.The system of claim 15, said sensory indicator is a light emitting diode(LED).
 18. The system of claim 16, said central control computer beingconnected to said sensory indicator of said connection point on the datalink to provide an activating signal.
 19. The system of claim 16, saidcentral control computer being connected to said sensory indicator ofsaid connection point on the date link to provide a deactivating signal.20. The system of claim 15, at least one of each of said fixedconnection points for ID Tags optionally connected to a temperaturemonitor that measures ambient air temperature to provide a reportedtemperature.
 21. The system of claim 20, said reported temperature beingsent to the central control computer.
 22. The system of claim 21; saidthe central control computer sends an alert when the reportedtemperature is above or below a predetermined range.
 23. The system ofclaim 15, at least one of said electronic ID tags optionally including atamper detection device, said electronic ID tag providing a report withthe tamper data enabling an alert to be provided to an operator.